Swimming tube and valve cap therefor



' G. D. KRATZ. vSWIMMING TUBE AND VALVE CAP THEREFOR.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 9.192.

INVENTOR.v

Patented Oct. 3, 1922.

Patented @et 3, i922.,

ibi l vll lil iii Vil GEORG-E D. KRATZ, OF AKRONLOl-H, ASSXGNOR T THE FALLS El SWIMMING TUBE .ANB VALVE El-IEREOR.

Application led March 9,

To @ZZ whom it may concern.'

Be it known that l, Gnonon D. Kenra, a citizen oi' the United States, and a resident of Akron, county of Summit, and State oii hiO, have invented a new and useful lmprovement in Swimming Tubes and Valve Caps rlherei'or, of which the following is a specification, the principle of the invention being herein explained and the best mode in which I have contemplated applying that principle, so as to distinguish it from other inventions.

The present invention relates to a' swimming tube and more particularly to the valve and valve cap construction and means for covering the same to prevent injury from the extending valve and valve cap. T he use of an inner tube for automobile tires as a swimming tube has been increasing, but the extending valve stem is dangerous, and the present tube is provided with means tor covering the valve stem and cap to prevent injury to the swimmer or swimming suit. To obtain a satisfactory tube it has been found necessary to use a tube which will contain air under rather high pressure necessitating the use of a satisfactory valve of' the Schrader type which makes it necessary to inflate the tube from a pump or other source of fairly high pressure. This type of valve necessitates a rather long valve stem of metal and it is to protect the user from such a stem that the present valve cap and covering means have been designed. To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, said invention, then, consists ci the means hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims.

rlhe annexed drawing` and the following description set forth in detail certain mechanism embodying the invention, such disclosed means constituting, however, but one of various mechanical forms in which the principle of the invention may be used.

In said annexed drawing F ig. l is a perspective view of my tube with cap and cover in place; F ig. 2 is a sectional view through the tube cap and cover when the tube is inflated; Fig. 3 is a sectional view through the valve cap; Fig. el is a perspective view of the valve cap with the rubber cut away and showing in section; and Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the valve stem end.

The present device comprises a circular i922. Serial No. 5422,@46.

endless tube l. oi convenient size to lit under the arms oi bather, which tube is provided with a valve stem 2 provided with the usual or modified "Schrader"7 type of valve commonly used in inner tubes for automobile tires and the lilre.

As best shown in Fig. 2, the valve stem is iounted within the tube being held in place between two nuts or washers 3 which have complementary corrugated rubber contacting' surfaces Lliform an air tight joint. The extending outer end 5 oi the valve stem threaded to receive the usual metal valve cap 6, but this end 5 extends beyond the surlace oi' the tube only sui'liciently to allow cap i' to be threaded thereon. the main body of the valve stem extending inwardly of the tube.

4rEhe valve cap 7 has its upper end formed into a series oll tongues 8 which are rebent down adjacent the upper edge of the cap :forming loops and this metal'cap 7 is vulcanized into a. hood or covering iO oi' soft rubber. rl`he cap may be otherwise shaped or imbedded. in the hood or covering material in any suitable manner so that the cap cannot be pulled free. rlhis hood 10 is hemispherical in general shape but formed with a concave under surface ll which is adapted to fit snugly adjacent the curved surface oi the tube, thus covering the valve stem and cap with resilient material unlikely to scratch or injure the bather, although when the tube is inflated the itriction between the hood and the tube is suilicient to prevent the accidental unscrewing oit the cap. As an additional. protection for the user and to prevent accidental unscrewing of the hooded cap, a. band or ring i2 of rubber is employed which is wide enough to extend to both sides oi the hooded cap and this band encircles the tube and adapted to be slipped over the cap into the position shown in Figs. l and 2 where it will remain due to the air pressure within the tube and thus there is no sharp projection which can scratch the user, or catch in bathing clothes and tear the same.

rlhe entire tube is simple to construct and to inilate and will of course be made in such sizes as to suit children as well as adults. The entire outer surface is smooth and the cap is so covered that no sharp projection is Jormed and the band prevents accidental unscrewing or displacing of the valve cap., This cap is securely hired in the rubber hood and the cap is suitable Jfor use with other types ot articles Where it is desired to cover a valve stem.

Other modes ot applying the principle of my invention may be employed instead ot the one explained, change being made as regards the mechanism herein disclosed, provided the means stated by any of the tolloving claims or the equivalent ot such stated means be employed.

l therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as my invent-icml.. ln a swimming tube, the combination or a circular endless tube, provided With a valve stem, a hooded cap for said valve stem, and a band of rubber slidably mounted on said tube and adapted to cover said valve stem and cap When said tube is inflated.

2. ln a swimming tube, the combination of a circular endless tube, provided with a valve stem, said stem. being mounted within said tube and having an outwardly extending threaded end, a hooded valve can adapt- Y ed to engage with said threaded valve stem end and cover the same, and a band ot rutber slidably mounted on said tube and adapted to cover said cap when said tube is inflated.

3. In a swimming tube, the cmbination of aV circular endless tube, provided lwith a valve stem, said stem being mounted vvithin said tube and having an outwardly extending threaded end, a hooded valve cap comprising an interiorly threaded cap provided with a hood of resilient material, said cap being adapted to engage with said eX- Itending valve stem and said hood being adapted to lit snugly against the tube to cover the metallic cap and stem, and a band of rubber slidably lmounted on said tube and adapted to cover said cap when said tube is inflated.

4L. A valve cap for pneumatic swimming tubes, comprising a threaded metallic cap adapted for engagement witha valve stem, and a hood of sott resilient material mounted over said cap and secured thereto.

5. A valve cap for pneumatic swimming tubes comprising a hemispherical hoodv of soft rubber having a metallic valve cap embedded therein.

6. A valve cap ior pneumatic swimming tubes comprising a hemispherical hood of sott rubber having` a concave lower face, and a metallic valve cap vulcanized therein.

7. A valve cap for pneumatic swimming tubes comprising a hemispherical hood oi' sott rubber having a concave lower face, and a metallic valve cap provided With loops oic metal on its top embedded in said hood and vulcanized therein.

Signed by me, this 6th day of March, 1922.

GEORGE D. KRATZ. v 

